Are you ready to level up? Have you found the right power ups for your life and career? Do you play a single player game or do you prefer a massive multiplayer game? Join us this week as we look at how “Gamification is Key” for arboriculture and forestry.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree is from a large family, but can perform better in hotter, drier, and more alkaline settings than many of it's cousins. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about bigtooth maple, Acer grandidentatum.

It may not feel like it yet, but we are getting closer to fall and it will be planting time before you know it. There are so many trees out there that have special names. We’ve talked about them some in the past, but join us this week as we explore more in “Keys to Hybrids”.

Species Spotlight

Let's look at an intriguing hybrid this week. Do you love citrus, but think it's too cold where you are? Check out this week's species spotlight to learn more about a Texas Superstar called 'Artic Frost' satsuma.

Many are using this time of less travel, work, and outside activities to increase our skill set and maybe even earn a new credential. This week in "Keys to Studying" we'll discuss a new guide out from International Society of Arboriculture, including the section on how to prepare for an exam.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree isn't common, but it does produce a fruit with a familiar flavor. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about paw paw, Asimina triloba.

We’ve talked about innovation recently and even touched on a few ways we can facilitate it. Join us this week as we delve a little deeper into one method. That’s this week on “Incubators Are Key”.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree is a large Texas native usually found along water ways in East Texas, but can be found in a few areas of central Texas. Carolina Basswood, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, has soft yet tough wood that is valued by woodcarvers. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more.

Recently, we discussed how water is key to our trees. However, there’s also a strong connection between trees, forests, and our water sources. This week, join us as we delve into why “Trees Are Key For Water Quality”.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree is closely associated with this week's topic. Eastern cottonwood, Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides, is common along streambanks, riverbottoms, and sandbars. This tree is often one of the tallest trees in it's area. Learn more by listening to this episode of #TreesAreKey.

Who else is tired of hearing about the ‘new normal’ or that 2020 is a crazy tough year? I know I am. But, there is an element of truth to both. Let’s celebrate our resilience by looking at the new ways we are doing things to adapt to the current situation. That’s this week on “Innovation Is Key”.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree is native to East Texas, has a distinctive bark and can help make tasty barbecue. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about shagbark hickory, Carya ovata.

Water is Key to life for us and our trees. Join us this week on "Water Is Key" as we explore several of the ways that water is vital for our trees and review the best way to supplement their water when Mother Nature is being stingy.

Resources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180313084227.htm

https://academic.oup.com/treephys/article/37/1/18/2680809

Species Spotlight

This week's tree has an affinity for this week's topic. It's also a tree that gets large and can pose a risk in an urban environment. Water oak, Quercus nigra, is a Texas native you should know. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more.

Are there things you do the same way every time? Are there places that you go the same day every week? Are you in an organization that does things the same way every year at their annual conference? Join us this week as we explore why “Rituals Are Key”.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree is a small, Texas native that has nice fruit that birds love. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn about Carolina buckthorn, Frangula caroliniana.

We’ve talked about planning in previous episodes including #186 “Planning Is Key”. This week, join us in "Action Plans Are Key" as we discuss our Texas Forest Action Plan which helps guide our agency’s efforts for the next 10 years and how you can help us with Urban Forest Sustainability, Woodlands Conservation, Forest Resources, Water Resources, and Wildfire and Public Safety.

Species Spotlight

This week's tree is, usually, well armed and has been introduced to Texas. Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, is a tough tree that can thrive in depleted soils because it is a legume.

We’ve talked about photosynthesis many times including episode 213 “Photosynthesis is Key” and episode 266 “Glucose is Key”. We also looked closer at respiration in episode 270. Join us this week as we delve even deeper and explore where most energy is released during respiration in “Keys to the Krebs Cycle”.

Species Spotlight

Listen to this week's #TreesAreKey episode to learn more about one of our Texas native evergreens Rocky Mountain Juniper, Juniperus scopulorum.